Riomaggiore: The Complete Guide

Staying in the village itself provides the best experience, with cliffside hotels and guesthouses offering breathtaking sea views. For a quieter alternative, staying in nearby La Spezia provides more accommodation options with easy train access to Riomaggiore.

A 2 to 3-day stay is ideal for exploring the village, hiking the Cinque Terre trails, and enjoying local seafood. A 4-day stay allows for visiting all five Cinque Terre villages, taking a boat tour, and relaxing along the Ligurian coast.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Riomaggiore. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

Throughout the year, Riomaggiore and Cinque Terre offer a range of unique experiences, making it a destination suitable for year-round visits. Here’s a breakdown of the best times to plan your visit:

Spring (March to May): During spring, the area enjoys mild and pleasant temperatures, with nature coming to life as flowers bloom. Hiking trails become accessible, and the sea offers a calm environment for swimming. This season allows you to explore the charming villages before the summer crowds descend.

Summer (June to August): The summer months bring extended sunny days, providing the perfect backdrop for swimming and beach relaxation. However, this is also the peak tourist season, characterized by substantial crowds, particularly in July and August. To escape the heat and the masses, consider scheduling your visits for early mornings or late afternoons.

Autumn (September to November): Autumn is a splendid time to discover Riomaggiore. It offers mild temperatures, reduced rainfall, and a vibrant local vineyard scene with full harvests. This is an opportunity to savour new wines and take part in local festivals. Hiking trails of Cinque Terre remain open, although daylight hours gradually decrease.

Winter (December to February): The winter season is the most tranquil period in Riomaggiore. The villages exude a peaceful ambiance, and accommodation prices are at their lowest. However, temperatures can be quite chilly. This season is ideal for those seeking a serene experience, even though some hiking trails may be closed for maintenance.

Riomaggiore caters to various preferences and activities throughout the year, whether you’re looking for warm beach days, serene hiking adventures, or cultural festivals.

Flying to Riomaggiore:  The nearest airport is Pisa, about 100 km from Riomaggiore, from where you can take the train as in the option above or rent a car and take the A12 Genoa-Livorno and then the A15 Parma-La Spezia up to Santo Stefano Magra from where you continue as per the previous indications. The Genoa airport is located about 130 km from Riomaggiore, about two hours by car along the A10 Genoa-Ventimiglia for a short distance, then the A7 Milan-Genoa and then the A12 Genoa-Livorno to the tollbooth of Santo Stefano Magra and proceed as indicated. By train, go from the airport to Genova Brignole Malpensa airport is almost 300 km away, 3 and a half hours by car. By train from Malpensa airport it is necessary to arrive in Milano Centrale with the Malpensa Express or by bus.

Taking to Train to Riomaggiore : Getting to Riomaggiore by train Surely the easiest option to get to Riomaggiore is by train. The station is in the village, connected by a convenient tunnel. The line is the Genoa-La Spezia, the ticket price is 5 euros in 2023, 2,5 euros for children.

Driving to Riomaggiore: To reach Riomaggiore by car, take the La Spezia-Santo Stefano Magra exit, accessible from the A12 Genova-Livorno and the A15 Parma-La Spezia. Follow the signs to La Spezia along the SS 370, a convenient two-lane highway. Continue on Via Carducci, turning left onto Viale Italia towards Cinque Terre, as indicated by road signs. Proceed along Viale Italia, passing between houses and later with the sea on the left, until you reach the arsenal. Turn right onto Viale Amendola, then turn left at the traffic lights onto the SP530, following brown signs for Cinque Terre, in the direction of La Spezia football stadium.

After passing the stadium, the road turns slightly left, becoming Via Fieschi. Pay attention at the traffic lights and continue straight uphill along Via delle Cinque Terre (going left leads to Portovenere). This initiates a 12 km climb, passing through Biassa, until you reach Riomaggiore. The road is comfortable, wide, and includes some tunnels. The last two kilometers are downhill toward the village, where the challenge is finding parking.